Cloud Computing Tutorial: Types, Benefits & Future Scope

What is Cloud Computing?

 

The world of the internet has made everything fairly easy and accessible. Today, one is not required to step outside in order to purchase a commodity. Rather, one can access the internet and order the same product online and receive the commodity at his/her doorstep. 

 

Ever wondered how this is possible? Ever thought about how E-commerce works over the internet? Well, the answer is CLOUD COMPUTING. 

 

Cloud Computing is a concept that facilitates the availability of on-demand computing applications to millions of users with the help of the internet. From applications to servers, tools to resources, cloud computing enables remote data centres to become available to internet users through the technology of cloud services provider (CSP). 

 

Based on the concept of ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis, these remote tools are promoted and provided by cloud computing services. With the help of cloud computing, organizations and institutions are not required to maintain physical servers. 

 

Rather, they rely on rented servers available on the internet that makes their tasks easier and efficient. The foundation of cloud computing research can be understood through the lens of the internet that makes the whole process possible. 

 

An essential commodity, cloud computing can be accessed through both private and public servers depending on the nature of the clouds or virtual avenues created on the internet. 

 

(Must check: What is Virtualization in Cloud Computing?)

 

How does Cloud Computing work? 

 

To begin with the working of cloud computing, it is essential that we first understand the major constituents of cloud computing basics. Let’s get started. 

---

Cloud Computing Infrastructure, Source

---

• Front-end- The front-end constituent of cloud computing is visible to the users or the clients of the cloud. For instance, the display page of a website is visible to the users who visit the website, and perhaps it is the front-end of the cloud.

 

• Backend- The back-end constituent of the server is what goes behind the curtains and is visible to the operators or those who design the remote server. Unlike the front-end of the cloud, the backend is not visible to the users or the clients of a cloud. 

 

The backend of the cloud refers to the group of computers, data, and other servers that together work in order to give way to a remote cloud or a virtual space. For instance, the coding language, the interconnected links, and other technical constituents form the backend of a website.

 

The working of cloud computing architecture can be understood through the lens of its two constituents- front end and back end technologies. In a cloud computing network, various elements together work to make way for a cloud that is visible to the client. 

 

Instead of working the traditional way, companies prefer to keep everything protected with online servers that makes their work hassle-free and less complicated. The database storage is the reservoir of information or content that gets published on the front-end. 

 

The information contributed to the database storage comes from various computer networks and application servers that together build the backend. All these elements- database storage, application servers, computer networks are connected to a control node that is the connecting link between the front-end and backend. 

 

“After a large, multination organization turned to Deloitte to modernize its legacy applications to better meet customer and client needs, Deloitte created a road map focused on process efficiencies, workforce agility, and a future-ready state of technology and built an application modernization center. This central hub drove modernization across the entire enterprise and provided present and future business value. Through application modernization, Deloitte provided the organization with an enhanced user experience, improved security protocols, streamlined development integration, and systematic information sharing among teams. Discover more about how Deloitte uses cloud technology to help organizations unlock their full potential, deliver a clear vision for the future, and achieve substantial cost savings.”-Cloud Computing- Case Study

 

Types of Cloud Computing 

 

In this segment, we will discuss the different types of cloud computing that will help you to understand the concept much better.

 

1. Infrastructure-as-a-service

 

Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) is the primary base of the cloud that a company establishes for its remote services. Focusing on the ‘infrastructure’ of the cloud, IaaS offers core data hardware like servers, nodes, etc. that make the lowermost layer of the cloud. 

 

Companies that require such hardware can do away with expensive and troublesome personal servers. Instead, they can hire cloud servers that are available on demand. 

 

 

2. Platform-as-a-service

 

The second type of cloud Platform-as-a-service or PaaS in cloud computing provides developing tools required for the development of software or applications. 

 

Again, such tools can be accessed on-demand and on the basis of pay-as-you-go which is a better and comparatively efficient option. As the name suggests, PaaS enables clients to design and develop platforms like applications or software. 

 

 

3. Software-as-a-service

 

The third type of cloud computing, Software-as-a-service or SaaS in cloud computing offers web-based applications to clients on-demand and as and when they require. While PaaS offers tools and essential resources that enable clients to design an application themselves, SaaS is that type of cloud computing that provides a customized application or software that serves the exact purpose of the client or the customer. 

---

Types of Cloud Computing, Image source: litslink.com

---

The three types of cloud computing can also be understood as the three different layers of cloud computing as arranged in the above-mentioned order. Together they make the cloud that has become one of the most essential technologies in the digital realm. 

 

(Recommended blog: Types of Virtualization in Cloud Computing)

 

Benefits of Cloud Computing 

 

As we have already witnessed the working of cloud computing, we will now look at the top benefits of cloud computing. 

 

1. Lower IT Operation Expenses

 

Among the top 5 benefits of cloud computing, the first one is lower IT operation expenses. Cloud Computing allows you to rent remote services and tools that can otherwise be expensive. If a company opts to build a server infrastructure of its own, the costs can mount up very quickly. However, cloud computing not only does the same work but also reduces the IT operation expenses, thus saving money for the welfare of your organization. 

 

 

2. Flexible Functioning

 

Another benefit of cloud computing is its flexible functioning. While it can be a tiresome task for a company to hire a distinct team for managing IT affairs, cloud computing agencies offer the same services. Perhaps it becomes flexible for the company to extend its IT operations to cloud computing agencies that can work on updates, elimination of errors, etc. in no time. 

 

 

3. Rapid Remote Management

 

There is no doubt that cloud computing is rapid in terms of speed. Rapid remote management is one of the many benefits of cloud computing that enables a company and its employees to conduct IT affairs in a remote environment but with much rapidity. 

 

 

4. All-around Connectivity

 

The global pandemic has driven everyone to their homes where work has to be managed from houses. While offices remain shut down, it is important for the employees to access data that is available at their doorstep. 

 

Cloud computing has made that utterly easier for the whole world as it continues to provide all-around connectivity. Perhaps one can access data from any spot in the world and still be able to work efficiently. Thanks to cloud computing, all-round connectivity is no more an issue, unlike traditional servers that required employees to be in the offices all year round. 

 

 

5. Secure services

 

Last but not least, cloud computing is secure and reliable. How? Well, the cloud computing agencies that a company hires are under the lens of IT laws and are required to comply with numerous laws and rules established for proper functioning. 

 

Moreover, these services are secure as data is restored on the backend, getting it backed up every single time a user accesses it. This makes cloud computing more secure than personal server set-ups. 

 

 

Future Scope of Cloud Computing 

 

With such an immense significance in the technological realm, the future of cloud computing becomes an important issue to be highlighted. Over the years, cloud computing has accelerated at a very fast speed with the increasing reliance of big corporations on this particular technology. 

 

As many scholars and tech gurus suggest, the escalation of cloud computing services is predicted to accelerate even more in the coming years. With the widespread use of cloud computing in the contemporary digital environment, the trend of cloud computing is about to spread like wildfire.  

 

“If you use a computer or mobile device at home or at work, you almost certainly use some form of cloud computing every day, whether it’s a cloud application like Google Gmail or Salesforce, streaming media like Netflix, or cloud file storage like Dropbox. According to a recent survey, 92% of organizations use cloud today, and most of them plan to use it more within the next year.”-Future of Cloud Computing

 

 

Conclusion 

 

To sum up, cloud computing research is an in-depth study of cloud computing that is so relevant in contemporary times. As the digital domain continues to expand, so does the relevance of cloud computing. 

 

Helpful in the provision of on-demand services as opposed to traditional versions of server infrastructure, cloud computing is about to get bigger and better in terms of its use and popularity.